Sunday, 28 January 2018

Does Blogging Make you Fat?! #fakeituntilyoumakeit LINK UP

What I really mean is...

Does blogging contribute to a sedentary lifestyle?
Does sitting all day at a computer make us a bit squishy around the middle?
Unless you're a fitness blogger, does blogging make you unfit?

Welcome to the #fakeituntilyoumakeit Link Up.
This week I'm talking about the static hobby/job or job-hobby called blogging.

Writing a blog involves many hours of sedentary behaviour and ultimately involves you sitting on your bum at a desk or (in my case) lying on a sofa with a laptop on your knee.

Not great for a healthy active lifestyle!

For me, blogging was starting to become VERY bad for my health.

Within a year I went from being reasonably toned and active to decidedly squishy and undeniably lazy!

Sitting with my laptop on my knee, drinking tea and munching crisps was all too easy.

I lost muscle tone, noticed a change in my posture and lacked energy.
Aches and pains began developing AND wrinkles popped up between my eyes.
Not to mention that regular feeling of a numb bum!

I've also heard that working on a computer can cause dark under-eye circles.
Eeek!!.... mine are bad enough without any help.

These symptoms were an awful side effect of my new hobby and I wasn't happy about it.
Especially as I was falling in love with blogging and didn't want to give it up.

Something had to be done, and quick!

First, an easy one...

I wear a Frownie when typing for long periods.
It sounds silly (and looks daft) but stops me furrowing and scowling when I'm typing.
There are many times I've forgotten I'm wearing it and either answered the door or taken Jake out for a walk.
Oh, dear!

Second...

I made an effort to be much more active.
I convinced my friends to try a few gym classes and after a wee while we all joined up.

These two things that have improved matters no end.
I feel better than ever.
Although I do still get a numb-blogging-bum from time to time, especially when visiting other blogs.

Are you guilty of numb-bum-blogging-behaviour?How to you compensate for the negative side effects of blogging?I'd love to hear your thoughts!{Could you also let me know if you'd like to see fitness posts & updates on Twitter/Instagram and/or Facebook?I value your opinion on this!}

Please leave me a comment, or send an email to samantha44blair(at)gmail.com

Oh, one last thing before we link up...
Please don't think I've forgotten about the Best Bloggers of 2018 list!
I'm still working my way through your (fab) suggestions.
Thank you so much for your comments, links and emails.

I really appreciate your efforts and the fact your sharing such amazing blogs.
so inspiring (and ironically involving more time making my bum numb!)

#Fakeituntilyoumakeit LINK UP time!

At last week's link up Lina's ice cream caught my eye... despite not really liking ice cream that much AND the freezing temperatures here.
There's just something about a good recipe that makes me smile.
I hope you enjoyed it too!
See the full post HERE.

Oh girl...you are so right! For years and years I worked out in the morning before work...now that's when I do my link ups, catch up on emails, etc. I never in my life thought it would happen, but working out has fallen by the wayside and is sporadic at best. My doctor gripes at me about it whenever she gets the chance...lolDebbiewww.fashionfairydust.com

It's SO hard to get into a routine though isn't it Debbie?I lack discipline and rely heavily on the fact my friends are waiting for me at the gym and I don't want to let them down.If it was up to me I'd be eating cakes, browsing the web and watching box sets!! :oPXXX

Yes, Samantha! I am definitely guilty of bum-numbing behaviors. And even more so with the weather here being downright disgusting...if it's not bitter cold and snowing, it's rainy and muddy. Ugh. I have been venturing outside on the milder days for a bit of light exercise because I am just getting stir crazy! But I do also love sitting on my bum and doing my blogging thing! Great post! Have a wonderful and active week, my friend!

I'm the most lazy person Shelbee and would happily never cross the door.... if I could get away with it! :oPA rocket is needed to launch me off the sofa and into the real world... a world beyond blogging and browsing.Luckily I have a dog to walk, children to collect and friends to meet ... oh and a job to go to (I almost forgot about that bit!! :oP)Staying in and reading blogs is much more enjoyable... heheheheXXX

LOL what a great post, Samantha! You're right though... blogging can make you fat if you don't do anything to avoid it! Which is why I try and do yoga every morning (well, every weekday morning anyway!). I started Yogadocious to help people with this very problem. Too much sitting. It's a nightmare! Unfortunately I've been neglecting my Yoga blog as of late, but will be starting it up again soon!HugsSuzy xxwww.suzyturner.comwww.yogadocious.com

oh my gosh! First off, those pictures are so. darn. cute! ( you know me an puppies!) i know what you are saying... if all you do is sit at the computer all day and don't move.. it isn't healthy! I do my best work in the morning, but take a break in the afternoon to walk outside and do pt strengthening exercises. If i don't, I would go bonkers! im doing a fitness post on Friday.Have a great week Sam!jess xxwww.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

Although I don't have a blog it is very clear to me that it is a HUGE time commitment. It's a real mystery to me HOW you can maintain a very popular blog AND have a full time job AND raise children AND cook and clean AND care for a dog AND nurture a marriage!!! "Something's gotta give" comes to mind and fitness can easily be that something. Would a treadmill/walking desk arrangement work? I just love the way you tackle these kinds of questions Samantha! You have a wonderful way of writing about common concerns that need attention, discussion, commiseration, empathy, and solution brainstorming.

oh yes, you're right!, blogging is a sedentary hobby, so I always try to don't get absorbed by it, as I really need to go for a walk and do some exercise!. My vitamin D levels would also be grateful if I don't blog too much!I'm not a huge fan of gym (so ugly clothes, and sweat!) but I'm trying to visit it more frequently!besos

OMG I agree 100% Samantha!! Blogging is terrible for making you sedentary - much like any office job where you work all day at a computer. I'm so aware of this, and when I went full time with the blog I decided to continue my daily walk (that I used to take at lunchtime to get out the office) and do it first thing in the morning instead. It's the equivalent of my "commute" to the office... when I get back from my walk it's as if I've arrived at work, I make a cuppa and get on with my day.

Unfortunately since getting a very old, slow doggie meant my daily walks became daily "plods" (a pooch mooch as I call it), so I changed my routine get up half an hour earlier to go for a fast walk before Riley has even opened his eyes (he's so lazy)!! I then go for a plod with him a bit later, but at least I got my fast walk in.

I always used to then run or work out in the evenings, but that needs to start again now my leg pain has (hopefully) been sorted out.

Fantastic post my lovely, and yes I'd like to see more health and fitness posts (you could write about the phone book and I'd read it TBH, lol)! Thanks also for hosting.

That's such a great idea Catherine... a commute to work. Poor Riley, lol, I wonder how he would get on with Jake who is still as skittery and full of nonsense as a silly pup!Thank you so much for your kind and supportive words!!XXX

Oh, I'm totally guilty of sitting too long when blogging, but I do the same as a lawyer. I sit in front the screen until my bum is numb! I'm not really into structured fitness. I think I stay pretty busy with my three dogs, but we'll see...I may have to get into it eventually!😳 Thanks for hosting the linkup and have a great week!

Thank you Julie.I didn't do any structured exercise until last year... so that's 43 years of just walking (running sometimes) and doing the very occasional yoga class. Walking the dogs is probably the best form of exercise anyway.Have a lovely week too!!XXX

I find blogging does make me lazy if I let it. I've got a treadmill and weights at home so I try to exercise a few times a week while my daughter's at school. The combination of running and sitting for long periods causes my hip flexors to tighten up which then leads to back pain so I have to keep stretching.